Towards the Watery (H)edges of Gravesend

A Hydrodetour  collaboration – Towards the Watery (H)edges of Gravesend.

This exploratory walk launches from Gravesend’s unique art centre LV21 and after the morning’s mystery tour ‘Trail of the Blue Porcupine’ (co-created by IL associate artist Sarah Sparkes).

As the mystery trail ends InspiralLondon leads walkers from St Andrews Quayside by LV21, further out into the watery (H)edges of Gravesend – to (H)igham Marshes and in a loop to St. Marys, Higham.

Together we explore this unique environment in all its diverse unkempt beauty, traversing the lattice work of waterways and ditches, while listening into the other inhabitants of the Marshes.

Please bring a light picnic and/or refreshments and some comfortable walking boots or equivalent. The walk will take approximately 4 hours (Either returning to Gravesend Station or to Higham Station).

This walk is the first in a series of experimental and/or public walks for Hydracity investigations:

InspiralLondon’s tours are unique artist-led walks that offer new ways of experiencing our city’s watery ecosystem. Embarking upon another voyage of discovery on foot, whether in waders, with boots or by boat – to investigate – on the fluid oozing ground, something of the Thames Valley Basin’s rich watery commons. Together, we detour and explore among its watery terrain, in order to understand its urban complexity and its hidden variety, but also to create a new sense of value and wonder within its beautiful biodiversity.

In these times of rapid extinction, climate upheaval and ecological crisis Hydrodetours offer you a time to celebrate and a time to share the extraordinary and unexpected, hidden within the Metropole’s shifting watery veins. By sharing alternative narratives and experiences we invite you to navigate these fluid times, building together walking rafts to the future.

A full list of Walks can be found HERE

The Trail of the Blue Porcupine.

In the morning from 11 am – c.1pm you are invited to pay homage to former and contemporary fauna of the marshy landscapes by joining The Trail of The Blue Porcupine: A collaboration by Poet James M’Kay and IL associate artist Sarah Sparkes. This is a Siltings Commission for LV21.

Bring your trusty smartphone to communicate with Blue Porcupine HQ, as you decipher the clues and follow the trail of Porcupines on a mystery tour of Gravesend. Start point: LV21.

Trail length: about 2 miles, duration: dependent on puzzle-solving ability. Unleashed at 11am, June 5th.

SEE for more details LV21

Depending on Covid rules the walk is managed in two parts – the afternoon walk is led by experienced walk guides. Both parts of this walking event start from the Riverside by LV21 but visit Estuary Website or Eventbrite ticketing for up to date information.

Watery Investigations Launch as part of Estuary 2021 Associated Programme: see here